Interconnecting (mapping) a two-dimensional optoelectronic (OE) device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array

ABSTRACT

For integrated circuits including circuit packaging and circuit communication technologies provision is made for a method of interconnecting or mapping a two-dimensional optoelectronic (OE) device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array. Also provided is an arrangement for the interconnecting or mapping of a two-dimensional optoelectronic (OE) device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.11/374,777; filed Mar. 14, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,474,815

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The United States may have rights to certain inventions disclosed hereinunder DARPA Contract MDA972-2-03-004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to integrated circuits including circuitpackaging and circuit communication technologies and, in particular,relates to the provision of a method of interconnecting or mapping atwo-dimensional optoelectronic (OE) device array to a one-dimensionalwaveguide array. Furthermore, the present invention also pertains to anarrangement for the interconnecting or mapping of a two-dimensionaloptoelectronic (OE) device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array,utilizing the method pursuant to the invention.

Presently utilized high-end computer systems are limited in theiroutputs or operational performances to a certain lesser extent by theclock speeds of microprocessors than they are by the interconnections,which are provided between the microprocessors. Consequently, in view ofincreases in the throughput of data rates, which are encountered inpresent computer systems, traditionally employed cooper links orconnections which are thus restricted to shorter distances, especiallyin the presence of power constraints and high aggregate bandwidths.Accordingly, for board-to-board and rack-to-rack interconnects, theoverall throughput of data is beginning to be limited due to theincreasing density of edge connectors. The incorporation ofhighly-parallel optical data links into these high-end computer systemsis deemed to offer a superior degree of performance with regard to theintent of obtaining greater connector densities, with a concomitantreduction in power dissipation and resulting in reduced production andoperation expenditures.

In essence, parallel optical modules are constituted of arrays ofsilicon circuitry, which are connected to optoelectronic (OE) devicesand implemented with the employment of III-V semiconductors.

A circuit packaging option, which is particularly attractive in theimplementation thereof resides in connecting two substrates utilizingflip-chip technology. This, in essence, necessitates that theoptoelectronic (OE) device is constrained to operate at a wavelength atwhich the OE substrate is transparent, whereby the projected opticalbeam is emitted or detected through the substrate. In that instance, thelight can be readily coupled to polymer-based waveguides, which areeasily routed across the circuit board to other optical modules, andwherein the waveguides, in an alternative construction, can also beembedded in the circuit board.

Moreover, it is also possible to employ the presently known moretraditional configurations in which the silicon chip is connected to thecircuit board utilizing a ball grid array (BOA) and the OF device isconnected to the silicon chip through the intermediary of wirebonds. TheOE device emits or detects light in an upward direction from the topsurface, and whereby the waveguide is mounted above the OE chip, whichsupports the OE device.

Inasmuch as the waveguides are lithographically defined, the physicaldensity between adjacent of the linear channels can be extremely high,for example, such as at an about 62.5 μm pitch. However, in thatinstance, it is physically impractical to lay out the channels in theoptical module at this narrow pitch, in view of the space which isrequired in order to be able to implement the placements of the OEdevices and the silicon circuitry, and provide space for lens couplingelements, as a result of which, currently a practical pitch for thesechannels is deemed to be about 250 μm. The waveguides can, accordingly,be fanned out to the wider module pitch. However, as the number ofoptical channels employed increases, this approach is encumbered with anumber of drawbacks in the implementation thereof. In particular, as thelinear dimension increases, the optical alignment between the modulesand the waveguides becomes increasingly difficult to maintain due toexcessive run out. Moreover, a timing skew, which is encountered betweenchannels at the edge of the array and those optical channels, locatedproximate to or in the center becomes extremely large and disconant inits dimensions.

An alternative approach in an attempt to obviate the encountereddrawbacks would be to fabricate the electro optical device channels on arectangular 2D (two-dimensional) array, whereby this arrangementproduces a more compact optical module, providing for an easier opticalalignment between the waveguide and the channels and a reduced timingskew between the channels. However, this approach is somewhatdisadvantageous in that the optical waveguides must be routed aroundrelatively sharp bends, and in most instances, polymer waveguides aresubjected to substantial losses at bend radii which are less than 5 mm.

The current state of the technology does not disclose the particularnovel aspects of interconnecting or mapping a two-dimensional OE devicearray to a one-dimensional waveguide array analogous to that set forthby the present invention.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Lea, U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,830, discloses an apparatus with a lightemitting element, microlens and gradient index lens characteristics forimaging continuous tone images. In that instance, there is no disclosureof any interconnecting or mapping of a two-dimensional OE device arrayto a one-dimensional waveguide array analogous to the present invention.

Similarly, Chakravorty, et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0002770A1 fails to provide for the particular coupling analogous to the presentinvention and, in effect, provides for a flip-chip package integratingoptical and electrical devices and coupling to a waveguide on a circuitboard in a manner as described with regard to the current state of theart. In that instance, in the prior art, the structure is disclosed inregard to a waveguide, which is embedded within the circuit board, anddoes not provide for the advantages of the present arrangement andmethod.

With regard to European Patent Application No. 0 544 002 A1, this alsodiscloses an image-forming device including a laser beam scanner anddoes not direct itself to the interconnecting or mapping of atwo-dimensional OE device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array.

Finally, with regard to P. Schnitzer, et al., “High Performance VCSELArrays for Optical Interconnection”, 1998 Electronic Components andTechnology Conference, Pages 762-770; 25-28 May 1998, this referencealso does not disclose the particular interconnection and mapping of atwo-dimensional OE device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array,and requires optical waveguides to be routed around sharp ends resultingin substantial losses, which renders the construction to be essentiallyimpractical in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, pursuant to the present invention, there is proposed aunique waveguide and OE array configuration for an OE device, wherein itis possible to expediently correlate the interconnection or mapping of atwo-dimensional semiconductor OE device array to a one-dimensionalwaveguide array.

In that connection, it is possible to dimensionally and operativelyimprove upon a rectangular OE array on OE devices with linear waveguidechannels through an orientation of waveguide channels, whereby thewaveguides extend linearly from the OE devices, but at a fixed anglerelative to an OE 2D grid, and thereby enable the provision of anarbitrarily large angle at which waveguide losses are minimized whilemaintaining a compactly sized OE module.

Furthermore, a further aspect of the present invention resides inproviding an OE device array in a rhomboidal pattern, which facilitateswaveguide channels to extend in paths linearly from the OE device arrayin the absence of any sharp bends, whereby the OE device drivers aretypically laid out in a rectangular manner.

Pursuant to another aspect of the invention, there is provided arhomboidal pattern for the OE devices while maintaining a rectangulartwo-dimensional array for electrical pads, so as to interface withinsilicon circuitry in a unique manner, thereby resulting in minimizedoptical losses for the OE devices.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amethod of interconnecting or mapping a two-dimensional optoelectronicdevice array to a one-dimensional waveguide array, which will provideminimal losses of light and provide superior performance with regard todensity in connections, reducing power dissipation and manufacturingexpenditures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement forthe interconnection or mapping of two-dimensional OE device arrays to aone-dimensional waveguide array utilizing the unique inventive method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings; in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the interconnection betweenan optoelectronic device array and a waveguide array;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the interconnection betweenthe optoelectronic device and the waveguide array in which electricalsignals are transmitted from a circuit board through wirebonds to theoptoelectronic device array;

FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement of the fanning out of an array ofclosely spaced waveguide channels in order to match the pitch of alarger more widely spaced OE device array;

FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement between closely spaced waveguidearrays and a rectangular 2D OE device array;

FIG. 5 illustrates a linear escarpment of waveguide channels from arectangular two-dimensional OE device array at a fixed angle of thewaveguide channels relative to the OE device array grid;

FIG. 6 illustrates a layout of OE device channels in a rhomboidaltwo-dimensional array;

FIG. 7 illustrates a layout which connects pads of a rectangular siliconcircuit array to a rhomboidally arranged OE device array;

FIG. 8 illustrates a layout presenting a connection of pads of arectangular silicon circuit array to a rhomboidal OE device array;

FIG. 9 illustrates a layout which connects pads of a rectangular siliconcircuit array to a rhomboidal OE device array; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a system layout for interconnecting atwo-dimensional OE device array to a one-dimensional waveguide array inorder to functionally implement an optical link.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring in more specific detail to the drawings, illustrated in FIG. 1of the drawings is a parallel optical module 10, which includes acircuit board 12 having a waveguide 14 arranged thereon including aturning mirror 16, and with a carrier 18 interposed between the circuitboard 12 and a silicon chin 20 through the intermediary of a suitableball grid array 22. An optoelectronic (OF) device 24 is connected to thelower surface of the silicon chip 20, the latter of which has a siliconcircuit 26 facing the OE device, and which device is arranged in an OEsubstrate chip 28. Herein, the OE device 24 operates at a wavelengthwhere the OE substrate chip 28 is transparent in nature, and whereby theresultant optical beam is emitted or detected through the OE substrate.The emitted light can be readily coupled to polymer-based waveguides,which are easily routed across the circuit board 12 to other opticalmodules (not shown). Alternatively, the waveguide 14 can be embeddedwithin the circuit board, although, in this embodiment, it is shown asbeing positioned on the circuit board. The light emitted from the OEdevice is focused by a lens 32, which is reflected by turning mirror 16and coupled into the core of the waveguide 14.

As illustrated in the embodiment of the optical module 40 of FIG. 2 ofthe drawings, in which components similar to or identical with those inFIG. 1 are designated with the same reference numerals, the circuitboard 12 has the OE chip positioned thereon with the OE device at theupper surface of the chip, which supports a waveguide, which also issupported on the circuit board.

A silicon chip 20 is positioned by means of a ball grid array 22 on thecircuit board 12 and connected to the OE device 24 through theintermediary of wirebonds 42. The OE device 24 emits or detects lightfrom the top surface, so that the waveguide 14 is mounted above the OEchip 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, there is described an array of waveguidechannels 50 wherein optical modules 52 are arranged in a linearone-dimensional array, and the linear one-dimensional waveguide channels50 fan out to each of the optical modules 52. However, inasmuch as thewaveguides are lithographically defined, although the linear channeldensity can be very high, such as, for example, at about a 62.5 μmpitch, it is impractical to lay out the channels 50 in the opticalmodule on this pitch. This is due to the space which is required toimplement the OE devices and silicon circuitry in the linear pattern,whereby a practical pitch for these channels is currently approximately250 μm. Hereby, as the waveguides are fanned out to the module pitch, asshown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, as the number of optical channelsincreases, this approach provides limitations and drawbacks, since theoptical alignment between the modules and the waveguides becomesdifficult due to excessive run out, and in addition, the timing skewbetween the channels 50 at the outer edges 54, 56 of the array of theoptical modules 52 and those in or near the center of the module arraybecome extremely large.

In the modified embodiment of FIG. 4 of the drawings, the OE devices 60are arranged in a rectangular two-dimensional array, nine (9) devices 60being shown in this particular embodiment by way of example, and linearone-dimensional waveguide channels 62 extend thereto in a close parallelrelationship. Although this provides a more compact optical module 64and an easier optical alignment between the waveguide and the channels,and a reduced or smaller timing skew between the channels, nevertheless,the optical waveguides must each be routed around relatively sharp bends66. Inasmuch as most polymer waveguides incur substantial losses forbend radii which are less than 5 mm in size, this is rather cumbersomein construction in view of the tight channel turn which is requiredwithin the physical confines of the two-dimensional array of the OEdevices 60.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, which provides a further improvedmodification pursuant to the present invention, this discloses asolution to the previously discussed problem in that the waveguides 70extend linearly from the rectangularly arranged OE devices 72, but at afixed angle compared to the two-dimensional grid, represented by thedevices. Once the waveguides 70 extend outwardly from the OE array, thetraces or paths thereof can be routed across the circuit board (notshown) at an arbitrary angle θ and this then minimizes the waveguidelosses while maintaining a compact OE module 74.

Hereby, the waveguide escapement or outward displacement angle (asextending over the OE array) is determined by the number of rows in theOE array and the pitch between OE array elements pursuant to thefollowing relationship:

${\tan\;\theta} = \frac{OE\_ ArrayPitch}{RowsxOE\_ ArrayPitch}$

By way of example, a four row OE array with an array pitch of 250microns requires an angle (θ) of 14 degrees. The maximum number of OEarray rows is limited by the pitch between OE elements, the waveguidecore width and the minimum separation between waveguide cores. After thewaveguides 70 leave the region of the OE array, they may be reroutedacross the board at an arbitrary suitable angle.

Alternatively, in another version of the invention, as illustrated inFIG. 6 of the drawings, it would also be practical that the OE devices80 are laid out in a two-dimensional rhomboidal array in lieu of therectangular array of FIG. 5. This rhomboidal two-dimensional devicearray, facilitating a close parallel spacing between the waveguidechannels 82, also minimizes optical losses and any potential crosstalk,while only slightly increasing the overall size, as compared to therectangular device arrangement of FIG. 5. Concerning the foregoing, thisembodiment represents a relatively straight-forward layout of the OFdevices 80 on a rhomboidal grid 80A, this being easily implementedinasmuch as these devices are generally simple two-dimensional diodes.However, this arrangement is somewhat more difficult to effectuate inconnection with silicon circuitry since it increases layout complexity,and in particular, the routing of all of the bias and signal lines fromthe chip edges to the interior waveguide channels becomes relativelymore complex, as compared to a rectangular array design.

It is possible to convert from a rhomboidal OE device array 91 (as shownby the dash lines) to a rectangular circuit array by arranging the OEelectrical pads 92, as illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. In thatinstance, the pads 92 maintain the rectangular grid, while the active OEdevices 90 are offset to interface with the waveguides 96. Thus, asarranged in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the electrical path between each ofthe OE devices 90 and the pads 92 possess different path lengths andparasitics, for example, such as capacitance, inductance and the like.However, these differences can be readily minimized by modifying theelectrical routing on the OE wafer 94, such that the electrical pathlengths are the same, while the waveguide channels 96 are always in alinear parallel relationship with each other.

This is illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings for a four-channelimplementation. The pads 100 are shown connected to the waveguides 102and the OE devices 104 in a manner which minimizes the differences ininductances. However, pursuant to a further improvement, as illustratedin FIG. 9 of the drawings, the differences in inductance can be furtherminimized between the different layouts by employing larger sized pads110 and arranging them in a symmetrical manner. Consequently, inasmuchas the pads 110 are the same size, the parasitic capacitance will beidentical for all devices 112. In that instance, the electrical pathsfor interface to silicon circuitry maintain a rectangulartwo-dimensional array. The OE devices 114 are arranged on a rhomboidaltwo-dimensional array in that instance.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings, the foregoing concepts andarrangements of interconnecting a two-dimensional OE device array to aone-dimensional waveguide array may be employed in order to implementthe construction of a functional optical link. In that instance,electrical signals are converted into light by the OE VCSEL array 120and then focused by means of integrated lenses 122 into an array ofoptical waveguides 124. Thereafter, light from these waveguides 124 isredirected out of plane by means of turning mirrors 126 towards an OEphotodiode array 128, where the optical signals are converted intoelectrical signals. This is a practical application of the inventivemethod and arrangements for the interconnecting or mapping of atwo-dimensional OE device to a one-dimensional waveguide array in amanner which is not at all disclosed nor suggested in the prior art.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formsand details may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention. It is therefore intended that the presentinvention not be limited to the exact forms and details described andillustrated, but fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An arrangement for interconnecting optoelectronic devices towaveguides; said arrangement comprising: a plurality of saidoptoelectronic devices being arranged to form an optoelectronic module,said optoelectronic module having said optoelectronic devices arrangedin a two-dimensional array; and a plurality of said waveguides beingconnected to said optoelectronic devices in a one-dimensional array ofsaid waveguides, said waveguides being in a one-to-one relationship withsaid optoelectronic devices; wherein said array of waveguides extendfrom a two-dimensional grid represented by said optoelectronic devices,and said array of waveguides extending along paths routed to a circuitboard; and wherein a maximum number of optoelectronic device array rowsare defined by the pitch between elements on said optoelectronicdevices, waveguide core widths, and minimum separation between waveguidecores.
 2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modulecomprises said plurality of optoelectronic devices being arranged in arectangular array, and said array of waveguides extending from saidoptoelectronic devices in substantially linear orientations.
 3. Anarrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said waveguides extend fromsaid optoelectronic devices at mutually parallel spacings.
 4. Anarrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein said array of waveguidesextends linearly at an arbitrarily selected angle relative to theconfiguration of said rectangular array of optoelectronic devices, saidsubstantially linear parallel orientations of said waveguides being at afixed angle compared to said two-dimensional grid represented by saidoptoelectronic devices and extending along said paths routed to saidcircuit board at an arbitrary angle for minimizing waveguide losses. 5.An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said array of waveguidesextends linearly at an orientation coaxially with the edges of saidrectangular array of optoelectronic devices.
 6. An arrangement asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said module comprises nine of saidoptoelectronic devices in a square array of said optoelectronic devices.7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module comprisessaid plurality of optoelectronic devices being arranged in a rhomboidalarray.
 8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said waveguidesextend from said rhomboidally arranged optoelectronic devices in anorthogonal orientation relative to said optoelectronic devices.
 9. Anarrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said waveguides extendlinearly in parallel spaced relationship with each other.
 10. Anarrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said optoelectronicdevice includes electrically-conductive pad forming electricalconnections interfacing with silicon circuitry, said waveguides beingoperatively connected to said electrically-conductive pads.
 11. Anarrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein electrical paths on each ofsaid optoelectronic devices communicating said pads with said waveguidesare of equal length, and said waveguides are arranged in channels inlinear parallel spaced relationships with each other.
 12. An arrangementas claimed in claim 7, wherein electrically-conductive pads formingelectrical connections interfacing with silicon circuitry are located oneach of said rhomboidally arranged optoelectronic devices, said padsbeing dimensioned of equal sizes and arranged symmetrically in arectangular array so as to produce identical minimal parasiticcapacitances for all of said optoelectronic devices.
 13. An arrangementas claimed in claim 12, wherein said electrically-conductive pads aremaintained in a rectangular array concurrently with said optoelectronicdevices being formed in a rhomboidal array.
 14. An arrangement asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said optoelectronic module comprises aplurality of said optoelectronic devices in a square array of saidoptoelectronic devices.
 15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14,wherein said optoelectronic devices comprise a VCSEL array forconverting electrical signals into light, and integrated optical lensesfocusing the light into an array of optical waveguides.
 16. Anarrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one turning mirrordirects light emanating from said waveguides to an optoelectronicphotodiode array for converting optical signals into electrical signals.17. A method of interconnecting or mapping optoelectronic devices towaveguides; said method comprising: arranging a plurality of saidoptoelectronic devices to form an optoelectronic module, saidoptoelectronic module having said optoelectronic devices arranged in atwo-dimensional array; and connecting a plurality of said waveguides tosaid optoelectronic devices in a one-dimensional array of saidwaveguides, said waveguides being in a one-to-one relationship with saidoptoelectronic devices; extending said array of waveguides from atwo-dimensional grid represented by said optoelectronic devices andextending said array of wave ides along paths routed to a circuit board;and defining a maximum number of optoelectronic device array rows by thepitch between elements on said optoelectronic devices, waveguide corewidths, and minimum separation between waveguide cores.
 18. A method asclaimed in claim 17, wherein said module comprises arraying saidplurality of optoelectronic devices in a rectangular array, and saidarray of waveguides extending from said optoelectronic devices insubstantially linear orientations.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18,wherein said waveguides extend from said optoelectronic devices atmutually parallel spacings.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 19, whereinsaid array of waveguides extends linearly at an arbitrarily selectedangle relative to the configuration of said rectangular array ofoptoelectronic devices, said substantially linear parallel orientationsof said waveguides being at a fixed angle compared to saidtwo-dimensional grid represented by said optoelectronic devices andextending along said paths routed to said circuit board at an arbitraryangle for minimizing waveguide losses.
 21. A method as claimed in claim18, wherein said array of waveguides extends linearly at an orientationcoaxially with the edges of said rectangular array of optoelectronicdevices.
 22. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said modulecomprises nine of said optoelectronic devices in a square array of saidoptoelectronic devices.
 23. A method as claimed in claim 17, whereinsaid module comprises arranging said plurality of optoelectronic devicesin a rhomboidal array.
 24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein saidwaveguides extend from said rhomboidally arranged optoelectronic devicesin an orthogonal orientation relative to said optoelectronic devices.25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said waveguides extendlinearly in parallel spaced relationship with each other.
 26. A methodas claimed in claim 18, wherein each said optoelectronic device includeselectrically-conductive pad forming electrical connections interfacingwith silicon circuitry, said waveguides being operatively connected tosaid electrically-conductive pads.
 27. A method as claimed in claim 26,wherein electrical paths on each of said optoelectronic devicescommunicating said pads with said waveguides are of equal length, andsaid waveguides are arranged in channels in linear parallel spacedrelationships with each other.
 28. A method as claimed in claim 23,wherein electrically-conductive pads forming electrical connectionsinterfacing with silicon circuitry are located on each of saidrhomboidally arranged optoelectronic devices, said pads beingdimensioned of equal sizes and arranged symmetrically in a rectangulararray so as to produce identical minimal parasitic capacitances for allof said optoelectronic devices.
 29. A method as claimed in claim 28,wherein said electrically-conductive pads are maintained in arectangular array concurrently with said optoelectronic devices beingformed in a rhomboidal array.
 30. A method as claimed in claim 17,wherein said optoelectronic module comprises a plurality of saidoptoelectronic devices in a square array of said optoelectronic devices.31. A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said optoelectronic devicescomprise a VCSEL array for converting electrical signals into light, andintegrated optical lenses focusing the light into an array of opticalwaveguides.
 32. A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein at least oneturning mirror directs light emanating from said waveguides to anoptoelectronic photodiode array for converting optical signals intoelectrical signals.